Harmonium & Kirtan Retreat On Spetses Island, Greece
with Seth Lieberman, Kavi Chandra, Kalindi, and Ferdie Lopez
Four spots left!
July 18th - July 22nd 2024
Description
Join us in this summer in southeastern Europe for a very unique opportunity to study harmonium and kirtan in an incredibly beautiful environment. This educational and experiential retreat will provide participants an immersion into a study of music, the practice of kirtan, and Bhakti Yoga in private, stunning location, along with a community of fellow harmonium and kirtan lovers.
This is recommended for anyone who already has a basic understanding of how to play the harmonium, can recognize western note names on the keyboard, and wants to go deeper into learning and experiencing sankirtan (communal chanting). It is also intended for those who wish to develop their personal chanting practice and for those who wish to lead kirtan. Students will learn about the technical aspects of playing the harmonium and kartals, add new chant music and melodies to their repertoire, and practice leading kirtan in a supportive group environment. Chant sheets and audio recordings will be provided to support learning.
This retreat is very limited in space. Early registration is recommended.
You can also reach out to Ferdie if you have any questions or to discuss if this is the right opportunity for you.
What’s included
5 days and 4 nights accomodation
Daily Harmonium / Kirtan classes
Kartal and rhythm classes
Morning and evening satsang & kirtan
Daily morning asana and meditation
Healthy vegetarian meals
What’s not included
Transportation (airfare, ferries, etc.) to and from the Villa
Instruments - harmoniums and kartals - you must provide your own
Any extra purchases you wish to make while on the island
retreat life
Our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels safe, welcome and can cultivate sattva, a sanskrit term referring to the mode of goodness.
Therefore, the consumption of alcohol and other intoxicants are not permitted on this retreat.
We will be getting high on kirtan, natural beauty, and good company!
About Spetses island
Spetses is a small, quiet, picturesque island nestled in the sparkling waters of the Saronic Gulf, only 2 1/2 hours from Athens, Greece. Its distinctive architecture and maritime legacy, surrounding the pristine beaches bathed in azure waters, and it’s car-free cobblestone streets, (bikes, scooters and horse carriages are the main form of transportation!) offer a traditional, calm and elegant atmosphere.
Where you’ll stay (the villa)
Our Villa is situated on the Spetses mountain offering a panoramic view of Spetses Island and the Saronic Sea. It is located in a quiet and serene location, but at the same time only a 15’ walk from the city center and the closest beach. It offers many large outdoor spaces and patios, ideal for lazy afternoon siestas and reading. It also has a large infinity pool overlooking Spetses Island and the Saronic Gulf, as well as a small olive grove, botanical gardens and one of the largest and well preserved threshing floors in Greece.
Your Accomodations
DOUBLE ROOM WITH GARDEN VIEW
Smaller (18sq m / 195sq f) rooms with en suite bathroom, air-conditioning or fan, overlooking our garden.
DOUBLE ROOM WITH SEA VIEW
Large (40sq m/431sq f) rooms with en suite bathroom, air-conditioning and private balcony overlooking our garden, Spetses island and the Saronic Sea.
TRIPLE ROOM WITH SEA VIEW
Large (40sq m/431sq f) rooms with en suite bathroom, air-conditioning and private balcony overlooking our garden, Spetses island and the Saronic Sea.
Sample Schedule
*subject to change*
Thursday, July 18 - Suggested arrival after 12pm
Welcome
Satsang & Kirtan
Dinner
Friday, July 19 - Sunday, July 21
6:30am Meditation and Asana
7:45am Satsang & Kirtan
8:00am Breakfast
9:00am Harmonium Class
12:00pm Lunch / Free time
5:00pm Kartals Class/Practice Time
6:30pm Satsang & Kirtan
8:00pm Dinner
Monday, July 22 - Suggested departure between 11am-6pm
Meditation and Asana
Satsang & Kirtan
Breakfast
Closing Circle
*Please note that the first retreat day starts at 6:00pm while the last retreat day concludes at 11am
Instruments
Students must provide their own harmoniums. We have a very limited harmoniums to loan during the retreat, and will be provided on a first come first serve basis. If you wish to purchase an instrument, please contact Ferdie for a list of recommended harmonium vendors or if you have any other questions.
You must also bring your own kartals. Please contact Ferdie if you are interested in purchasing a set for the training.
Please note: You should not check your harmonium on your airplane unless you have a sturdy case,. We strongly recommend overhead storage instead, to protect your instrument.
Retreat Pricing
Triple room with sea view
Regular - $1199 US
Book here
Double room with garden view
Regular - $1280 US
Book here
Double room with sea view
Regular - $1347 US
Book here
Private room with garden view
Regular - $2050 US
Available upon request. Please contact Ferdie for info and booking
*Registration for this retreat closes on July 1st, 2024
Deposit Option:
If you prefer to secure your spot with a non-refundable deposit, you can select “Pay $300 Deposit Now” when checking out.
Your final payment must be made by May 15th. An invoice will then be emailed to you upon making a deposit, and you will also receive a reminder 1 week before.
If you do not make your payment by May 15th, you may lose your spot on this retreat.
This option cannot be combined with the earlybird discount
Please note: transfer fees from Athens airport to Spetses Island, Greece is not included (see below)
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Should you need to cancel for any reason, if you cancel by May 15th, you will receive a full refund, minus $300.
If you cancel between May 16th - June 1st, you will receive a 50% refund.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations after June 1st.
getting from athens to spetses island, Greece
Via train from airport to Piraeus Port - $20 US roundtrip / $10 US one-way
or
Via taxi from airport to Piraeus Port (not shared) - $70 US one-way
plus
Via boat from Piraeus Port to Spetses Island - $110 US. Book your tickets here.
From Spetses Island port to the villa is a short, uphill walk OR you can take a taxi for approx. €10 EU
Suggested arrival time is after 12pm on Thursday, July 18th
Seth Lieberman
Seth Lieberman is a musician and yoga teacher residing in the Hudson Valley of New York. A lifelong music maker, he studied music composition, theory, clarinet, and piano at the University of Maryland, where he received BA in Music. During his 10 years of time living in New York City, he completed 3 different yoga teacher trainings. Seth has joined his two passions of music and yoga through playing and teaching the harmonium, leading kirtan, and creating original music related to mantra and yoga. He has been actively teaching harmonium both online and in-person for the past 8 years and has helped bring the joy of mantra and music to many students throughout the United States, Europe, India, Australia, Japan, and all over the world. He is excited to host his first Harmonium and Kirtan retreat in Greece this July!
Ferdie Lopez
Ferdie discovered yoga 25 years ago during a time when a new job, a new relationship, and a move to a new city simultaneously occurred. Over time, he learned that the “whole” of yoga is more than just the physical practice and began to cultivate a greater sense of self which allowed him to find a better balance between his spiritual and corporate life. Gradually, Ferdie’s connection to bhakti yoga grew, strengthening his devotional and spiritual practice which has guided him to where he is today. He completed his 200 hour YTT with the Samarya Center in January 2015 and has been studying with Seth since November 2019.
Kavi Chandra
Kavi, raised in Bhakti culture, has immersed himself in Kirtan throughout his life, striving to develop expertise in the Mrdanga, Harmonium, Kartals and more recently Saxophone. He further refined his practice through extensive training in the 24-hour Kirtan program in Vrindavan, India. Here he spent years deepening his understanding in the philosophy and art of Kirtan. He shares his love for the practice by leading and assisting Kirtan events and festivals all over Europe, America and India. Committed to supporting aspiring practitioners he shares the transformative power of Kirtan to seekers globally, in both physical and virtual spaces, emphasizing deep connection and soulfulness.
Kalindi
Kalindi has been immersed in the Bhakti Yoga tradition since childhood, engaging in Kirtan by singing and playing instruments like the Harmonium, Mridanga, Kartals, and Bansuri flute. Her commitment to sharing her passion for this spiritual practice has led her to travel around America, India, and Europe, to share the joy of kirtan with others.